Rail-joint.



No. 800,593. PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905.

J. I. PITTMAN.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 26 1905.

l F2 I H 6 m ==I=-' v I J a UN ITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES IRA PITTMAN, OF VALDOSTA, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ELIZABETH R. HARRISON, OF VALDOSTA, GEORGIA.

RAIL-JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 26, 1905.

Application filed January 26. 1905. Serial n 242.751.

. lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in rail-joints; and the object thereof is to improve the construction of rail-joints and to provide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient device adapted to dispense with threaded bolts and nuts and capable of holding the ends of the track-rails securely in place and to prevent them from spreading.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rail-joint hereinafter more specifically referred to which will be adapted to be tightened by the passage of a train over it and which will be prevented from becoming unfastened by such means, or, in other words, the passage of a train will take up slack, and thereby cause the rail-joint to securely hold the track-rails in position.

W'ith the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention; but it is to be understood that changes, variations, and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rail-joint constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, 1 and 2 denote the track-rails, which are adapted to have their abutting ends secured together through the medium of the rail-joint constructed in accordance with this invention. The track-rails 1 2 are each provided with a square opening 3, the function of which will be hereinafter referred to.

The rail-joint consists of a fish-plate 4, which is mounted against the web of the track-rails 1 and 2 and is formed with a pair of square openings 5, and the said openings 5 are adapted to register with the openings 3. Extending through the openings 3 and 5 are the bolts 6, which are square in cross-section to prevent rotation thereof and are provided with the heads 7 and further provided with an elongated rectangular opening 8. The position ofthe openings 8 in the bolts 6 is such that the solid portion of the bolts extends through the openings 3 and 5. Mounted upon each of the bolts 6 and abutting against the web of the track rails 1 2 is an enlarged Washer 9, and mounted also upon each of the bolts 6 is an enlarged washer 10. Interposed between the washers 9 and 10 of each of the bolts 6 and extending through the openings 8 is a Wedge-shaped fastening-key 11, having connected .to its lower end a split ring 12 to prevent the withdrawal of the key 11 when the latter is set up in fastening position. Extending also through each of the openings 8, at the outer end thereof, is a T-shaped retaining-pin 13, the function of which is to retain the washer 10 upon its bolt 6. The pin 13 is provided with'a split ring 14 to prevent its withdrawal. The rings 12 and 1 are each pulled open to such an extent that they can be inserted. through the key 11 and pin 13 and then hammered closed. Preferably the washers 9 are round and the washers 10 square in contour. The keys 11 have their upper ends enlarged, as at 15, so that they cannot pass entirely through the openings 8.

When the rail-joint is set up, as shown in Fig. 2, the track-rail sections 1 2are connected together, and when the train passes over the track at that point in which is arranged the rail-joints the jar Will cause the keys 11 to move downwardly through the slots in the bolts and take up any slack, consequently securely connecting the track-rail sections together. the manner as hereinbefore set forth allows for the necessary contraction and expansion of the track-rails.

The rail-joint is what may be termed a self-adjusting one, as every time the train moves over the track all slack is taken up, thereby requiring no attention whatever.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is 1 1. A rail-joint consisting of a fish-plate, a pair of bolts extending therethrough, a pair The construction of the rail-joint in of washers mounted upon each of said bolts, retaining-pins extending through the bolts and abutting against the outer washer of each pair of washers, and a fastening-key extending through each of the bolts and interposed between each pair of washers.

2. In a rail-joint, the combination with a pair of track-rail sections provided with sq uare openings, a fish plate abutting against the webs of both ofsaid sections and provided with square openings registering with the openings in the sections, headed bolts substantially square in section extending through the openings of the fish-plate and openings of said sections, a pair of washers mounted on each of the bolts, the inner one of each pair of washers abutting against the web of one of the track-rail sections, T-shaped retainingpins extending through said bolts and abutting against the outer washers of said pairs of washers, and fastening keys extending through the bolts and interposed between each pair of washers.

3. A rail-joint consisting of a fishplate, a pair of bolts extending therethrough, a pair of washers mounted upon each of said bolts, retaining-pins extending through the bolts and abutting against the outer washer of each pair of washers, and a fastening key extending through each of the bolts and interposed between each pair of washers, said keys provided with enlarged upper ends and at their with square openings registering with the openings in the sections, headed bolts substantially square in section extending through the openings of the fish-plate and openings of said sections, a pair of washers mounted on each of the bolts, the inner one of each pair of washers abutting against the web of one of the track-rail sections, T-shaped retainingpins extending through said bolts and abutting against the outer washers of said pair of washers, and fastening keys extending through the bolts and interposed between each pair of washers, said keys provided with enlarged upper ends and at their lower ends carrying means to prevent the Withdrawal thereof, said pins provided at their lower ends with means to prevent the withdrawal thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J AMES IRA PITTMAN. Witnesses:

R. P. SWEAT, R. 'D. STEvuNs. 

